For the eighteenth consecutive year, pay-television operator M-Net and Franz Marx Films, producers of South Africa's evergreen soap, Egoli – Place of Gold have renewed their production agreement.

The newly-signed contract stipulates that Franz Marx Films will produce another twelve months of Egoli episodes, to be screened on M-Net until the end of March 2010.

M-Net's Head of Original Productions, Carl Fischer, says the decision to extend Egoli's contract is based on the soap's consistent performance over the years: "Egoli has become an institution in the homes of many of our M-Net subscribers and is a favourite among pay television viewers. In terms of viewership, Egoli remains among the Top 5 most popular shows on M-Net, week after week."

According to Fischer, M-Net created a special soap hour for its viewers after the closure of Open Time in April 2007. This strategic scheduling decision has paid off. M-Net viewers love the soapie double-bill and the 18h30 to 19h00 slot, occupied by Binnelanders, even grew M-Net’s pay television audience for this slot by a whopping 160%.

These days Egoli and Binnelanders are available on a variety of platforms, including DStv's Compact bouquet, which currently has 285,705 subscribers. It is also broadcast on the very affordable DStv Easyview bouquet and is available online on Kudu Club.

Egoli – Place of Gold is South Africa’s longest-running soap, having recently celebrated its sixteenth birthday on viewers’ screens.

With the advent of an extended contract, Egoli fans can expect some new riveting storylines, as well as some familiar and some brand new faces. Tarien returns to the Naude household, the drama continues at Walco, and Des and Dr. Adam stop by, too!

With the advent of an extended contract, Egoli fans can expect some new riveting storylines, as well as some familiar and some brand new faces. Tarien returns to the Naude household, the drama continues at Walco, and Des and Dr. Adam stop by, too!